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Five Things You Probably Did Not Know about Centipedes

Posted:Feb 9th, 201812:00 pm

One thing you probably already know is how creepy centipedes are. They look like they came straight out of a horror movie! However, did you know:

Centipedes do not have 100 legs even though their name means “one hundred legs”. They can up to 171 pairs of legs down to as few as 15 pairs, of which are always an odd number of pairs. Each pair of legs is attached to its own body segment, unlike millipedes that have 2 pairs of legs per segment. Centipedes first set of legs are used to paralyze their prey by injecting them with venom.

Centipedes are predators. They will catch other insects, mollusks, annelids, and even others of their own type. Tropical species of centipede are larger and can consume small birds and frogs. In any case, centipedes wrap themselves around their prey, inject venom to subdue them, then consume them.

Centipedes are able to live for many years, usually 2-3, but can live longer than 5. They are extremely hardy and can grow and molt continuously throughout their life. They are known to regenerate legs in case they need to escape a predator by giving up a few legs in the process.

Centipedes are built for speed. They can outrun most predators, and move in quickly on their prey. Their many legs give them excellent maneuverability to go around and over obstacles with ease.

Centipedes can be good mothers and care for their young. Certain varieties will wrap their bodies around their eggs to protect them until they hatch.

Even though these multi-legged creatures are scary when they greet you on the stairs or dark corners of your room, they rarely bite. Centipede pincers are not always even strong enough to penetrate human skin. However, no one wants to put up with an infestation of centipedes inside their home. So, in order to prevent them, you will need to block off all of the places they are entering your home, like cracks and crevices in your exterior walls, foundation, and window and door frames. You will want to repair or replace all damaged vents, screens, and vents as well. If you keep your house dry, centipedes will find your home less attractive, and the absence of other moisture-loving insects that they eat will also help. Of course, you will need to eliminate a current infestation too, and the best way to do that is with the help of professional pest control.

In Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, Adam’s Pest Control is here to help. We use EPA-approved treatment products and methods around your foundation and the exterior perimeter to stop centipedes from coming in. Additionally, areas indoors will be treated if necessary along baseboards, and in wall voids. If you are looking for a no centipede guarantee, look no further, the professionals at Adam’s Pest Control have effective solutions for your centipede and other pest pressures. Give us a call today!